Pharmacokinetics After oral ingestion, Pregabalin is rapidly absorbed (Tmax 1.3 hr) Bioavailability is >90% and independent of dose Pregabalin is NOT protein bound Vd is 0.4 L/kg Serum pregabalin concentrations are linearly related to dosage Pregabalin is NOT metabolized Pregabalin is primarily excreted unchanged in urine (98%) with a clearance…
Author: Dr. Henrique Durão, FCP (CMSA)
Hard worker, Reliable, Team player, Family man. MBChB (O’Porto Univ.), Dip HIV Man (CMSA), DTM&H (Wits), DipPEC (CMSA), Dip Internal Medicine (CMSA), M. Med. Clinical Pharm [Cum Laude] (Univ. Pretoria), FCP (CMSA)
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Valproic acid (Valproate) : Pharmacology
Dosage and Absorption VPA is absorbed through the small intestine, and delayed- and extended-release forms are designed to extend the dosage interval and bypass the stomach to reduce dyspepsia. The liquid and tablet forms have a more than 10-fold higher absorption rate constant than the extended-release forms and peak at…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Few Etiology Mnemonics
YELLOW NAILS N: Non pitting Lymphedema A: Autoimmune disorders (thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis) I: Infections (Pneumonia, AIDS) L: Lung disorders (pleural effusions and bronchiectasis) S: Serious: Malignancy (mycosis fungoides, laryngeal carcinoma, bronchial carcinoma, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gallbladder cancer, NH Lymphoma) DIASTEMA causes (see Terry Thomas “sign”) D: Developmental cyst orofacial line I:…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Some Neurology Mnemonics
FALLS – indications for CT BRAIN A: Age > 65, Amnesia > 30 minutes before impact B: Bringing up = vomiting > 1 (once) C: Coagulopathy (hx) D: Dangerous mechanisms: > 1 m or 5 stairs, PVA, Cyclist, Ejection E: Epileptic fit (post traumatic) F: Fracture: open, depressed, skull base…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Some Mnemonics for Physical Examination
CAUSES OF INCREASED PIGMENTATION S: Systemic sclerosis H: Hemochromatosis 1* A: Alkaptonuria K: Kala azar A: Arsenicosis H: Hemochromatosis 2* A: Addison’s N: Nelson’s D: Drugs Amiodarone Busulfan Bleomycin Phenytoin Phenothiazine Psoralen SADDLE NOSE S: Sarcoid, Syphilis congenital, Sponastrine dysplasia, Steward granuloma (extranodal NK/T lymphoma, EBV+), Stickler syndrome (chromos 12 mutation, short nose,…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Cardiology Mnemonics
INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS INDICATIONS FOR SURGERY A: Aortic valve, Annular Abscess B: Block (heart block), Bacteremia (persistent) C: Complications, CCF D: Destructive penetrating lesion E: Emboli F: Fever despite appropriate antibiotics, Fungus G: Growing vegetations H: Heart failure, Highly resistant organisms PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES COMPLICATIONS: VIP BEAST V: Valve Obstruction I: INR monitoring, Infective Endocarditis P: Paravalvular…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Ophthalmology Mnemonics
PERIORBITAL EDEMA P: Pregnancy E: Edema: angioedema, cellulitis R: Renal: nephrotic I: Infectious mononucleosis: Hoagland’s sign O: Obstruction: SVC R: Rheumatic: Dermatomyositis, Cutaneous SLE B: Bitten by insect triatomine bug: T cruzi, Chagas disease – Romana’ sign I: Inside cavernous sign thrombosis T: Thyroid [Enroth fullness], Trichinosis A: Allergies, Albumin low L:…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Pulmonology Mnemonics
TB SMEAR (+) CULTURE (–): 4 Ds D: DEAD: continued expectoration of dead organisms D: DEGENERATE: non-cultivable non-TB mycobacteria, unable to proliferate on a standard AFB culture D: DELAY: excessive > 5 days between collection & inoculation D: DRUGS: sufficient anti TB levels to suppress growth in vitro TB RISK FACTORS: SHE LOVED RICHES S: Silicosis…